1799 Early $1 (1799 Silver Dollar Mint Error) PCGS AU58 CAC, B-16, BB-158. This early date, mint error, 1799 Silver Dollar has a fully struck obverse and an above average reverse. On the obverse we see full details on the highest points of Libertys hair, the lines of the drapery, and the centers of the stars. On the reverse the shield and the eagle show full details as do some of the upper stars. There is sufficient separation among the lines of Libertys hair at the top of her head, the hair over her ear, and in the drapery to warrant the grade, which is confirmed by CAC indicating that the coin meets stringent standards for quality within the grade. The surfaces are clean except for two small marks on Libertys neck. Muted mint luster remains in protected areas of both sides, which are lightly toned. The coin is a golden to golden-gray with bits of tan and touches of lavender.

Dr. Robert Hesselgesser was a specialist and the previous owner of this coin, which was part of one of the most complete sets of bust silver dollars in AU and uncirculated condition. The 1799 dollar is the second Draped Bust type called the Heraldic Eagle Reverse. It was made from 1798 to 1804. The design shows a draped bust of Liberty facing right. Above is LIBERTY, and below is the date. Seven six-pointed stars are to the left and six are to the right. The portrait, taken from a drawing by the famous artist Gilbert Stuart, is of Ann Bingham. John Eckstein translated this drawing to models for Engraver Robert Scot. Evidently Eckstein made the models poorly, which might explain why Stuarts family refused to acknowledge his role in the coinage design. The heraldic eagle reverse shows the eagle with up stretched wings and a Union shield on its breast. A banner inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM curls across the left wing and under the right. Except for the wing tips, the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc near the periphery. Thirteen stars are above the eagles head under the clouds in an arc pattern. Dentils are near the edge on both sides of the coin. The edge is lettered HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT with ornamentation between the words.

In what some have called colossal design blunder, Robert Scot placed the arrows in the wrong talon. On the left side, the eagles right talon, arrows symbolize aggressive militarism. They should have been placed in the left talon with the olive branch in the right. If this rearrangement was unintentional, it shows a new, inexperienced country that cant even get its symbolism correct. If this was a deliberate rearrangement, it shows a young country taking an aggressive stance during a time of conflict. In 1799 the country was engaged with France in an undeclared naval war. Perhaps this symbolism was being used to make a statement to France and others about the sovereignty of the United States.

An off-center strike is one in which the planchet did not seat properly in the collar and is not aligned between the two dies. As a result part of the design is missing. Off-centered coins are described by the amount or percentage of detail that we do not see. The present example is 5% off center, which means that we see 95% of the coins design. They are also described by clock position. The current piece is off-center at 9:00.

All of the versions of the 1799 dollar had a combined original mintage of 423,515. The B-16, BB-158 has a PCGS population of 2 in AU58 with none better. At NGC there are 5 in AU58 with 2 better, and these numbers do not account for crossovers or resubmissions. However, according to PCGS customer service, this coin is unique because it is the only off-centered example certified for this variety at PCGS.